2024 Toyota C-HR debuts with three hybrid variants

The next-gen 2024 Toyota C-HR has officially debuted. For the European market which will be getting it first, there will be three powertrain options. There’s the entry-level 1.8-liter hybrid, a 2.0-liter hybrid, and a 2.0-liter plug-in hybrid version.

The 2024 Toyota C-HR

This fully updated model comes after seven years since the first-gen model was released back in 2016, and it promises to continue the older version’s status as an innovator in the subcompact crossover segment. But what is it offering to its future buyers?

Exterior

The look of the all-new C-HR hinges upon the idea of a “concept car on the road.” This is achieved, Toyota says, with a distinctive “super-coupe” profile that’s filled to the brim with sharp angles.

C-HR from the side

Its front end borrows the keen look from the new Toyota Prius and the bZ4X. The honed look of the vehicle is then reinforced by a set of sharp headlamps and a piercing hood that juts forwards. Underneath that is a wide grille surrounded on all sides by angular design elements.

The side of the new Toyota model then features plenty of character lines for a more dynamic feel. And it gets flush door handles for the first time ever on a Toyota. Its rear meanwhile, gets bulging haunches which is then topped by an LED taillight bar that wraps around its sides.

Its rear gets some GR Yaris vibes

Interior

Step inside the all-new C-HR and you’ll be greeted by a driver-centric cockpit. Toyota claims that all control elements are concentrated on the driver’s side portion. Further emphasizing the snug cockpit feel of the front cabin is a curved line running from the interior door panels toward the corners of the dash.

A peek inside the C-HR

The interior of the new model uses recycled materials in order to support sustainability. These are found on the vehicle’s soft-touch surfaces, as well as its fabric seat covers, etc.

No exhaustive interior features list has been provided by the brand just yet, but it is indicated that it is getting an ambient lighting system, a fixed panoramic sunroof with an infrared-reducing coating, and electronically adjustable seats, among others.

It gets a fixed sunroof.

Likewise present is a driver’s settings memory feature which can automatically adjust to one’s preferred seating position, digital instrument, and heads-up display settings.

Tech & Safety

Dominating the dashboard of the next-gen C-HR is a 12.3-inch digital display and a 12.3-inch central touchscreen. The latter features wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and it can take voice commands as well.

A closer look at the C-HR's digital gauge display

Also available for the C-HR is a new in-house developed smartphone app. This allows the vehicle’s owners to monitor its relevant information, and control its automatic parking function.

Safety for the next-gen C-HR is then handled by the latest version of the Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) driver-assistive suite. This includes an acceleration suppression system that can automatically prevent accidental use of the throttle. Another is the Proactive Driving Assist system which smoothly slows down the crossover when approaching curves, or when encountering a slower vehicle ahead on the road.

An alternate view of the C-HR's front cabin

Other TSS technologies found on the C-HR include an adaptive cruise control system, lane change assist, front cross-traffic alert, driver monitoring, automatic high beams, traffic jam assist, steering assist, etc.

Engine

As mentioned above, there are three engine options for the Euro-spec C-HR. Two are hybrids, while one is a plug-in hybrid.

For the plug-in version, it uses a 2.0-liter inline-4 engine that can make 149 horsepower and 190 Nm of torque. Meanwhile, its electric motor and lithium-ion hybrid system can make 160 hp and 208 Nm of torque. Altogether, this plug-in hybrid system outputs a total of 219 horsepower.

Compact but quite a looker

It wasn’t stated outright, but the one with the plug-in hybrid powertrain might be the Gazoo Racing version since it's the most powerful. It is also the only version with an electric vehicle range that clocks in at 66 kilometers.

The non-plug-in 2.0-liter version’s combustion engine has the same output figures as the one with the plug-in system. But its electric component is a bit modest with its 109 horsepower and 206 Nm of torque. That chalks up to a total system power output of 195 horsepower.

Last but not least is a 1.8-liter hybrid. Its combustion component can churn out 96 horsepower and 142 Nm of torque, while its electric motor can deliver 92 horsepower and 185 Nm of torque. Summed up, its powertrain’s total output sits at 138 horsepower.

We particularly like the one with the black and yellow paint job

All versions of the C-HR get front-wheel-drive as standard, save for the 2.0-liter hybrid which may come with an all-wheel-drive system. All versions then use an electronic continuously variable transmission (e-CVT).

The new model is underpinned by the Toyota New Global Architecture-C (TNGA-C) platform which it shares with the likes of the Zenix Hybrid and Corolla Cross.

Price

Pricing details for the C-HR are yet to be disclosed by Toyota. Then again, it is already available for reservation in select global markets. So will the Philippine market be getting this subcompact crossover? We wouldn’t count on it, but we wish it did.

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